20 March, 2013
NSW land clearing laws must be maintained
The sudden cancellation by the O’Farrell Government of a high-level meeting of farmers and environmentalists to review the state’s land clearing laws, on the day the Queensland Government weakened its bushland clearing laws has raised concerns among peak environment groups.
“We had been told there would be a process of consultation and negotiation – but the Friday meeting has been suddenly cancelled – certainly not at our request,” said Jeff Angel, Executive Director of the Total Environment Centre. “It’s clear that someone has interfered with the process and they are not likely to be sympathetic to controlling the clearing of native vegetation in this state. What’s the point of trying to be constructive and going to meetings?”
“We hope that the cancellation of this meeting does not signal an intention by the NSW Government to follow Queensland’s lead by undermining the state’s land clearing laws,” said Pepe Clarke, Chief Executive Officer of the Nature Conservation Council of NSW. “We know that some extreme elements of the farming community and the Shooters and Fishers Party want to abolish these laws or render them ineffective. It would be a disaster for the NSW environment if they succeeded. Ten years ago NSW had the unenviable reputation of being one of the world’s worst land clearers. The last thing the state needs is a return to those days and the environmental damage that comes with it.”
“The laws in NSW are already weak and we have identified practical ways to better protect threatened species, soil and water,” said Belinda Fairbrother, NSW Campaign Manager for The Wilderness Society. “It seems as thought the government does not want to have a fair dinkum consultation. Trashing the laws will add to the severe political problems the O’Farrell Government has with hunting in national parks.”
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Forests and wildlife
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